Arrive Amman and check-in at hotel. Overnight hotel and breakfast.

Drive to Jerash. This morning we drive northwards to ancient Jerash. Located in the Gilead Hills, it is considered to be the best preserved city of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten Roman cities. One of the highlights of the Middle East, a triple arch gateway gives way to colonnaded streets, theatres, temples and baths. Particularly striking is the elegant forum.

To Kerak via Um Qais, Madaba & Mt. Nebo. We continue along the Jordan Valley to Umm Qais, whose ruins overlook the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights, before heading south to Madaba, a small Christian town with its collection of extraordinary mosaics, including the Great Map of Palestine (6th century). Discovered in 1896, and only fragmentary, it contains a good picture of Jerusalem. Moving on we investigate Jebel Neba (808m). Better known as Mount Nebo, it is a pilgrimage centre for Christians principally because Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land from this summit. Then following one of the oldest trade routes in the world, the King's Highway that once carried the richly laden caravans of Solomon, we reach Kerak, imposingly sited on a hilltop. Kerak became famous in the time of the Crusades as one of a chain of fortresses in the Holy War against Islam. The castle was built in 1132 by Baldwin of Jerusalem, a Crusader king.

Walking tour of Petra. Continuing south we set off early this morning to reach Petra. Abandoned centuries ago, Petra is unique and unforgettable: a strange otherworldly place, enhanced by the play of light and shadow, an altogether overwhelming experience. In the morning a guided orientation tour will take us to some of the key parts of this remarkable site, and, for the rest of the day we have a chance to walk through one of the most impressive and exciting sites of ancient history anywhere in the world.

In Petra. A full free day at Petra, or 'rock' in Greek. You can climb steep paths to the sacrificial 'High Places' (altars) and hike to the top of Jebel Harin (1396m) for a stunning view over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert. A place to lose oneself in the atmosphere of the past. We recommend a trip to El Beidha (or 'Little Petra' as it is known) or to an excavated Stone Age village where you can see the remains of houses, fireplaces and workshops dating from around 6000BC.

By Four Wheel Drive to Wadi Rum. We spend today experiencing the beautiful area of Wadi Rum. We head off south for an exciting half day drive along a 4WD drive route to Wadi Rum. Via the old Roman road, we explore the lesser known northern areas of Wadi Rum, seeing natural rock bridges and viewing incredible rock sculptures on the way to our overnight camp. During the afternoon you may take an optional camel trek through the dramatic Siq al Barrah. We ride and walk for 3 hrs through a landscape of sandstone mountains and white and pink coloured sands. The desert is another world, inhabited by the nomadic Bedouin peoples for generations. The whole area is soaked in the Lawrence legend: those who still wish to search out the strange hero will find his shade in the 'Beau Geste' Desert Patrol post at Wadi Rum. Scenes of the famous film 'Lawrence of Arabia' were shot here – deep in the fabulous purple-black mountains that rise from the sand of the desert. Before our night under the starry sky, we may be lucky enough to witness a spectacular desert sunset. Overnight in Bedouin-style tent with dinner, breakfast and lunch.

By Four Wheel Drive to Aqaba. Leaving Wadi Rum in four wheel drive vehicles we follow a desert track finally arriving at Aqaba on the Red Sea. Here you have a chance to swim in the warm waters and go snorkelling on the coral reef.

Drive via the Dead Sea to Amman. We drive on to the shimmering Dead Sea. Surrounded by barren hills, this unique water body has an amazingly high salt content (33%) that means no animal life survives and that it is almost impossible to sink! Finally we drive on to Amman and spend our last night in the bustling capital.